The invention relates to a monitoring and/or respiratory assistance apparatus that can be used during a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with successive chest compressions of duration (dt) performed on the patient and with relaxations, said apparatus comprising a CO.sub.2 content measurement sensor (10) a graphical user interface (14), and signal-processing system (11) configured to process the CO.sub.2 content measurement signals in such a way as to determine at least one maximum CO.sub.2 content value (Vmax) and at least one minimum CO.sub.2 content value (Vmin), during at least one duration (dt) of at least one chest contraction, and then to calculate at least one airway opening index AOI or mean index AOI.sub.mean on the basis of the CO.sub.2 content values. Said one or more indices are displayed on the GUI in the form of numerical values or graphical representations, especially curves or pictograms.

Systems and methods for applying enhanced guided active compression decompression cardiopulmonary resuscitation are provided. Exemplary systems include a load cell, a handle, an adhesive pad. The handle and the adhesive pad are configured for magnetic coupling.

An elevation device used in the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and after resuscitation includes a base and an upper support operably coupled to the base. The upper support is configured to elevate an individual's upper back, shoulders and head. The elevation device also includes a chest compression device coupled with the base. The chest compression device is configured to compress the chest and to actively decompress the chest.

Devices and methods for blood flow enhancement and hemodynamic power monitoring are provided. A blood flow enhancement device includes a pump system configured to be coupled to a central vasculature of a subject during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The pump system includes a pumping mechanism configured to increase forward blood flow generated during the CPR while substantially limiting backward blood flow generated during the CPR. The pumping mechanism being operated concurrently with the CPR. The hemodynamic power monitor is configured to control a chest compression device and an active valve.

A CPR chest compression system includes a retention structure that retains the body of a patient, and a motor and a compressor that can perform CPR compressions to the chest of the patient. The motor is powered by a battery that is located on the retention structure but away from the motor, and is electrically connected to the motor via one or more wires. Accordingly the weight and volume of the battery can be located away from a top portion of the retention structure. This renders the CPR system is less heavy at the top, and therefore less likely to tilt and start compressing the chest at a different point. Moreover, this permits X-Rays of a larger footprint to go through the CPR system and reach the patient, in embodiments where the components are transparent to X-Rays.

An emergency cardiac arrest resuscitation drone system that includes a drone, a mechanical chest compression device that is attached to the drone, and a control system connected to the drone. The control system is configured to activate and direct the drone to a geographic location of an emergency. The drone has a GPS system, a microphone/speaker, and a camera that enable a medical certified staff member to provide step by step instructions to a bystander at the geographic location of the emergency.

Resuscitation devices for performing external chest compression (ECC) and defibrillation on a person and methods using the devices are disclosed. The disclosed devices can include chest compression members and a communication module that can communicate with a remote command center. The disclosed devices can also include an optional defibrillation module that may be integrated. The devices can be coupled to a backboard and can include physiological sensors, electrodes, wheels, controllers, human interface devices, cooling modules, ventilators, cameras, and voice output devices. Methods can include defibrillating, pacing, ventilating, cooling, and performing ECC in an integrated, coordinated, and/or synchronous manner using the full capabilities of the device. Some devices include controllers executing methods for automatically performing the coordinated activities utilizing the device capabilities.

Techniques and devices for extending a piston, for example connected to a medical device such as a mechanical CPR device, to accommodate different sized patients, are described herein. In some cases, a piston of a mechanical CPR device may include an inner piston at least partially slidable into an external piston sleeve. In one aspect, an external piston spacer may be attached to an outward surface of the inner piston to extend the length of the piston. In another aspect an internal bayonet sleeve may contact one or more locking rods at various positions, enabling adjustment of the length of the inner piston. In yet another aspect, a piston adapter may be removably attached to the end of the piston. In all aspects, the change in length of the piston may be detected and used to modify movement of the piston, for example to more safely perform mechanical CPR.

A chest compression device with a chest compression belt assembly including guards and sensors operable with a control system to control operation of the system depending on detection of proper installation of the guards.

A method for performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) includes elevating the head, heart and shoulders of an individual from a starting elevation angle to a final elevation angle greater than zero degrees relative to horizontal while performing CPR by repeatedly compressing the chest. The method includes elevating the brain within a time period selected to be slow enough to permit a sufficient amount of blood to flow to the brain throughout the elevation time period. The method also includes regulating the intrathoracic pressure of the individual while performing CPR. The performance of chest compressions is stopped and after stopping the performance of chest compressions, the head, heart, and shoulders are promptly from the final elevation angle within a timeframe selected to prevent significant drainage of blood from the brain until the head, heart and shoulders are lowered.